Walserové – tajemní obyvatelé vrcholků Alp / Walser – The Mysterious Inhabitants of the Alpine Peaks
Author: Veronika Pozníková, Aneta Rosenhoferová, Nikola Kociánová
Published: 1 November 2016
The Walser – for some, perhaps a familiar group from hearsay or stories, while for others, a completely unexplored ethnic minority. Unfortunately, there is not much information available about them. However, when studying this ethnicity, we discover that the inconspicuous inhabitants of Alpine villages have much to offer, whether from their history, folklore, or culture.
To obtain the information presented below about the Walser population, we ventured directly to the source – the Swiss canton of Graubünden, as part of the Pestrá Evropa project under the auspices of the Faculty of Economics at the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague.
In our work, we applied qualitative research methods, which were intended to answer the main research question and several sub-questions. The primary question was how the Walser community perceives its difference from the majority society. During personal meetings, interviews were conducted with respondents, leading to answers to the questions posed.
The Walser (also known as the Walsers) are descendants of German (Alemannic) colonists originating from Upper Valais, who settled in the high mountain regions of Switzerland (the cantons of Valais, Graubünden, and partly Ticino), extending into northern Italy (northern Piedmont, Aosta), Liechtenstein, and the western tip of Austria (Vorarlberg, Tyrol) between the 13th and 15th centuries. In their new settlements, they were granted several rights and freedoms within the feudal system of the time.
Historically, it is known that the Walser favoured the mountains for their livelihood. The primary reason was the opportunity for sustenance. In the lowlands, there was insufficient land for agriculture and material for producing wooden necessities. This meant one thing – crossing the mountains in search of suitable places to live. However, life in the mountains was certainly not easy, though the beauty of the surrounding nature may have compensated for much. The Walser adapted admirably to the extreme living conditions and made the environment work in their favour.
To this day, the Walser are distinguished by a distinctive traditional material and spiritual culture, particularly in relation to Alpine farming. However, in recent decades, there has been significant disruption and disintegration of the scattered Walser communities, the depopulation of villages, and the gradual loss of their unique dialect.
Most inhabitants speak not only German but also a distinctive Alemannic German dialect, which is very different from standard German and is characteristic of this ethnic group. This dialect, called „Titch,“ is predominantly used within families and at regular gatherings. Due to the decreasing number of Walser inhabitants, however, this dialect is rarely heard in the villages of Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Titch developed due to the long isolation of communities and varies depending on the region or country where the Walser live.
In the alpine villages with wooden houses, one might find several dishes that had to be simple and inexpensive. Most people were farmers, and so their diet mainly consisted of dairy products from their livestock – milk, cheese, dairy (and later rice) puree. Potato dishes, especially baked potatoes with pork lard, were also popular. The Walser diet also includes cabbage and meat, most commonly smoked.
Celebrations and traditions are, of course, an integral part of Walser life, although most of them do not differ from those in Liechtenstein and Switzerland. In addition to traditions like Christmas, New Year, and Easter, the Walser observe one rather unique custom. Upon the birth of a child, the newborn receives bread with cranberries, believed to be a gift from the Blessed Virgin Mary. Another fairly distinctive tradition is the Walser funeral. Before the funeral takes place, mourners pass through a mourning gate, adorned with funeral flowers, on their way to the cemetery.
It can be said that the majority of the Walser population are Catholics. Some attend church services regularly every week, while others go only on holidays. An exception is found among the Walser in the Werdenberg region near Bern and in some valleys of the Graubünden canton. In the 16th century, the authorities in Bern decreed that the population of all subordinate communities must become Protestant, thus determining the religious affiliation of the local Walser. However, in the largest Swiss canton, Graubünden, each community could decide for itself which confession to adopt. Therefore, in the Swiss alpine villages, there are also Walser who are Protestant.
Another interesting element is the gatherings that take place every three years. Around 200 Walser from Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, and Austria gather at these events. We also had the opportunity to attend this year’s gathering. It was held over four days, initially in the Swiss city of Chur, and then the festivities moved to the picturesque village of Arosa. At the event, news concerning the entire community is discussed, folk songs are sung, people wear traditional costumes, and after a few glasses of quality Swiss wine, the Walser anthem is sung. Thanks to this meeting, we had the unique opportunity to delve deeper into this ethnic group, which was a very enriching experience for us.
At first glance, the Walser appear reserved, like most Germanic peoples. However, after longer conversations, it became evident that they are extraordinarily kind and had no problem answering our questions; quite the opposite. They were very surprised and pleased that we were interested in them.
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